“It was all part of the Bridge to Housing pilot project, a “housing first” solution to homelessness that focuses on getting people under roofs.

“The goal: get homeless people indoors immediately—in this case, at a local motel—and then work to address their unique needs. After 120 days, officials will condemn the motel, and this qualifies the residents for housing vouchers.”

The results are reported on in an update article in the Sacramento News & Review.

An excerpt.

West Sacramento’s experimental “housing first” method of addressing the large homeless encampment along the North Levee has come to an end. And just in time.

The West Sacramento City Council voted February 18 to purchase and prepare the Old Town Inn for development. Program participants had been temporarily housed at the inn while they were matched to local resources and awaited housing vouchers as part of the city’s Bridge to Housing pilot program.

Residents had until 5 p.m. Friday to vacate the property at 826 West Capitol Avenue.

There’s been some rough going these past few months, with a wicked bedbug and cockroach infestation, and even a suicide on campus.

Steve Kruse, who had worked as manager of the property, said he called police to prevent individuals who weren’t part of the program from coming onto the property and stirring up trouble. That increased police presence meant some residents got popped for outstanding warrants when they stepped out of line otherwise.

Of the original 63 participants, 14 left the program due to criminal or behavioral issues, according to Yolo County spokeswoman Beth Gabor, and several more didn’t have all their proverbial ducks in a row in order to get their vouchers before the program ended February 27.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About David H Lukenbill

I am a native of Sacramento, as are my wife and daughter. I am a consultant to nonprofit organizations, and have a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from the University of San Francisco.
We live along the American River with two cats and all the wild critters we can feed.
I am the founding president of the American River Parkway Preservation Society and currently serve as the CFO and Senior Policy Director.
I also volunteer as the President of The Lampstand Foundation, a nonprofit organization I founded in 2003.